Shangri La presents the first episode of its "Community in Conversation" series featuring Dr. Akiemi Glenn, Executive Director of The Pōpolo Project and Ryan Kamakakēhau Fernandez, Musician and Shangri La 8x8:Source artist. This episode was moderated by Navid Najafi, Associate Curator of Programs and Social Practice.
In this episode, Ryan Kamakakēhau Fernandez and Dr. Akiemi Glenn speak to how their work and kuleana brings visibility to what it means to be Black in Hawai‘i, the importance of language preservation, and how their experiences have uncovered strength through community and cultural connections in the Pacific.
Shangri La’s "Community in Conversation" series brings visionary creatives and community voices across Hawai‘i to Shangri La to share in thought provoking dialogues of connection, inspiration, and hope for a more creative, equitable and sustainable future.
About Ryan Kamakakēhau Fernandez: Ryan Kamakakēhau Fernandez, also known as Kamaka, is a talented musician who embodies the spirit of Hawaiʻi. Despite being born in Arkansas, Kamaka was adopted by a Hawaiian family and raised on the shores of Maui. His education in the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program allowed him to become fluent in the Hawaiian language, becoming a strong advocate for its preservation.
Kamaka’s love for Hawaiian culture and music led him to discover his passion for the ukulele and falsetto singing. He won the prestigious Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto contest in 2003 and has since captivated audiences with his incredible voice and skillful ukulele playing. Kamaka has performed on various renowned stages in Hawaiʻi, including the Ritz-Carlton and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. He has also showcased his talent in the continental United States and Japan.
For Kamaka, Hawaiʻi is not just a place, but a part of his heart and soul. He cherishes his family, friends and the rich culture that he was fortunate enough to be immersed in. Kamaka’s dedication to preserving the Hawaiian language and sharing the beauty of Hawaiian music has made him one of the most renowned and refreshing talents in Hawaiʻi.
About Dr. Akiemi Glenn: Raised in the rural US South with Black and Coharie genealogies that tie her to the forest and coastal areas of Virginia and North Carolina, Dr. Akiemi Glenn is a scholar and culture worker who now lives on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. A linguist who works in Indigenous language revitalization, a researcher, filmmaker, artist, and cultural practitioner, her work engages concepts of culture, race, and belonging at the intersections of art, social justice, and education. She is the founder and executive director of the Pōpolo Project, an organization whose mission is to redefine what it means to be Black in Hawai‘i through cultivating connections between individuals, our communities, our ancestors, and the land, highlighting the vivid, complex diversity of Black cultures and communities in the Pacific and around the world.
Watch Ryan Kamakakēhau Fernandez’s 8x8: Source Performance: • 8x8: Source | Ryan Kam...
8x8: Source: www.shangrilahawaii.org/visit...
About the Manu-o-Kū: www.shangrilahawaii.org/david...
Learn more about Shangri La: www.shangrilahawaii.org | @hi_shangrila
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28 фев 2024
